305th ARRS HC-97G 53-0173, seen here at Mildenhall on 15th March 1967, joined the squadron at Self ridge AFB, MI in September 1966 having previously served with the 55th ARRS at Kindley AB, Bermuda. It would eventually be retired into storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ during June 1972.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing C-97 / Model 377 Stratocruiser - СШАUSA - 1944

Still resplendent in the old silver colour-scheme with TAC badge and yellow lightning flash on the fin, C-130E 63-7898 was amongst the last 464th TCW aircraft to be deployed to Mildenhall under the old rotation system. It returned home to Pope AFB, NC during the first week of May 1967.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

UC-45J 76756 served at Mildenhall until September 1969, by which time it was the last active US Navy Expeditor in the UK. Accepted by the Navy in March 1944, the aircraft would spend the next 20 years operating from various bases in the continental USA. In September 1964 it was dispatched from NAS North Island, CA to NARF Pensacoia, FL for depot-level maintenance. Emerging in May 1965, it was flown to NAS Norfolk, VA to await transfer by sea to Naples, Italy where it took up residence two months later. The transfer to Mildenhall took place on 20th October 1966.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Beechcraft Model 18 / C-45 Expeditor - СШАUSA - 1937

RC-135D 60-0356, one of three "Rivet Brass" aircraft based in Alaska, was a relative newcomer to the UK scene, its first recorded sighting with the SAC detachment at RAF Upper Heyford being on 19th July 1967. Until May of that year all intelligence-gathering missions from the Oxfordshire base had been flown by RB-47Hs and ERB-47Hs assigned to the 55th SRW at Offutt AFB, NE. Ten RC-135Cs (63-9792 and 64-14841 to 14849) were delivered to the Offutt wing during 1967 as replacements for the elderly Stratojets and both the RC-135C and RC-135D would become very familiar to British enthusiasts for the next seven or eight years.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing RC-135 - СШАUSA - 1964

Illustrating the Rescue Hercules colour-scheme of the day, here is a shot of HC-130H 65-0975 taken shortly after its delivery from the factory to the 67th ARRS, then still based at Prestwick, in February 1966. Note that Lockheed's paint shop had yet to catch up with the change from MATS to MAC! Some units would later apply the squadron title to the nose of their aircraft but those stationed in Europe during the 1960s were mostly anonymous, making determination of their assigned units very difficult for the enthusiast.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed HC-130 / KC-130 / MC-130 - СШАUSA - 1959